Main menu

Tag Archives: felines

Post navigation

I saw a wonderful documentary last week, about street cats in Istanbul, where hundreds of thousands of them roam freely, and have for thousands of years. In the film, Kedi, we meet seven of them.

To be perfectly honest, much as I love cats, part of me wanted to see the film and part of me didn’t. I hate to see animals (or people) suffer and I was afraid these pussycats would look Continue reading →

Well it’s been a week since I last checked in with you. At that time things were pretty dire between my two boys, Sundance and Bartlett. Okay, maybe “dire” is a tad over dramatic. How about “heated?” Or “tenuous?” Nope, that doesn’t really describe the situation.

I know. “Tense.” Yes, that’s it. Things were “tense.” Sundance was definitely “tense.” Bartlett, not so much. He actually seemed oblivious. Except he couldn’t have been, because Sundance was afraid of something, of someone; and it sure wasn’t me.

Once I realized an intervention was necessary I sat them both down. Told them that they didn’t have to fight over me — that I was theirs, and that there is plenty of me to go around. Then I set about making Sundance feel Continue reading →

Yeah, I know, they look angelic, like butter would melt in their mouths. Much of the time that’s true, but not always. Not lately. It seems that Sundance (ginger tabby) and Bartlett (grey/white) are at war; and I’m pretty sure it’s over me.

Bear with me while I go back to the beginning.

I had Sundance first. Well, I had him before Bartlett joined our little family, but I adopted Zazu (who has since passed on) about three months before I got a call from a cat rescue to tell me about Sundance. Which makes Sundance the “middle child.”

My concerns about Zazu and Sundance taking to each other were unfounded. Within a few hours she was grooming him, showing him Continue reading →

Sundance is interested in food, me and getting into trouble. When I’m on my computer for too long he sits on the keyboard. When I’m trying to get dressed to go out he swats at me incessantly. If I ignore all his efforts to get my attention he misbehaves. Television bores him to tears and if I put it on, he either barrels out of the room or goes to sleep.

Animals are so uncomplicated. They don’t ask for much. They need fresh food and water every day. They have to be walked. Their litter boxes have to be clean (or God help you.) And it goes without saying they need their annual physicals and shots.

But that’s just about it when it comes to maintenance.

All they really ask is that you love them. And they love you right back. Their love is simple Continue reading →

I enjoy my sleep, always have. And truthfully, I’m one of those people who really prefers a gentle wake up call in the morning. Alas, I’m a heavy sleeper, so I do set an alarm — the louder and more shrill the better.

Not for my psyche, or my nerves, but to ensure I hear it and, more importantly, can’t ignore it. And I probably have some masochistic tendencies. However …

As the mother of two four-legged babies, I am usually up before the alarm goes off, because at least one of my fabulous felines gets to me first.

And let me assure you, there is nothing as sweet as being awakened by a cold, wet nose pressed against your own Continue reading →

Here it is, almost Christmas and she’s pissed at me. I thought this was the season to be jolly! You know, HO! HO! HO! Fa la la la la and all that jazz!

Harumph! All she is, is grumpy! No Christmas spirit what so ever!

S-C-R-O-O-G-E.

She knows I need a lot of attention. All that bull about cats being uppity and independent is just that: BULL!! This isn’t her first rodeo. She’s had plenty of cats. She knows the score. She KNOWS what we’re like.

So I want to be petted. So I want to be hugged. So I want to cuddle. So I want her to Continue reading →

It took me a while to become fully conscious. I’d been in a really deep sleep. You know, what I mean, don’t you? When you wake up confused. Not sure where you are. Or what time it is. Or what day it is.

When you’ve probably been snoring. Really sawing wood.

Or when you wake up drooling.

I could feel myself climbing out of my stupor. Becoming aware of my surroundings. But it was very gradual. Like slow motion.

Something was tickling my face. It was feather-light. Couldn’t figure out what it was. Because I was really still asleep. At first I just tried to brush whatever it was away. But it kept coming back. First on one cheek. Then the other. Then an eyelid. Then my nose. My forehead. My chin. It felt like a bunch of teensy tiny flies flitting

As you have, no doubt, gathered I’ve begun to check out the WordPress Daily Prompts. They’re interesting and often inspire me. Yesterday’s had my imagination running wild. “Unconventional Love“. It went on to say, “Over the weekend we explored different ways to love. Today, tell us about the most unconventional love in your life.”

There’s no end to the possibilities. The mind boggles.

The most unconventional love in my life?? Hmmmm … . After thinking about it for a while I’ve come to the conclusion there’s never been anything about my love life one would consider unconventional. How boring. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it.

I’ve had a couple of long distance romances. But that hardly qualifies as unconventional. At least to me. It’s not exactly the norm, but lots of people have them. Do you think they’re unconventional? Unconventional love. I was stumped. Still am.

Have I got a book for you! But first, how I came to find out about the book. I’ve mentioned several times, how much I enjoy the blog Word by Word. Well the other day, Tuesday I think, Claire wrote a review of a book called “Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation and GPS Technology”.

As I read her post I had the eerie feeling the author of said book, Caroline Paul, had channeled me. This wasn’t a book about her, and her cats, it was a book about me, and mine. True enough, I hadn’t gone through all the same experiences she had. One of her cats disappeared for five weeks. I had one who disappeared for only two hours.

But I was every bit as crazed. I had a search party of neighbours running up and down streets, alleys and parks screaming her name. Friends were called to look under parked cars and patrol all the back gardens on the street.

Sobbing, I called my mother, who came tearing over to my house in her nightgown, bathrobe and slippers. She drove, but still, if she’d been stopped for speeding, that would have been interesting, don’t you think? And, refusing to go to work, I sat on my stoop, wailing, hoping to lure her back with a dish of tuna fish.

Just one of my many cat-related adventures (and misadventures). I could write a book or two or three of my own.

So there were no ifs, ands or buts about it. I had to have “Lost Cat” immediately. I even commented on Claire’s blog about it. Said